Coastal inks 18 for upstart women’s lacrosse program

Coastal Carolina University head women’s lacrosse coach Jaime Sellers has announced the program’s inaugural signing class of 18 student-athletes. Included in the class are the two of the nation’s top 25 defensive players as ranked by ESPN.

“I am very excited to welcome the inaugural class of our women’s lacrosse program,” Sellers said. “Since the day I was hired in August, these players have expressed an unrelenting passion for not only Coastal Carolina University, but also continuing their lacrosse careers at the Division I collegiate level.

“Throughout the fall, I have had the pleasure of getting to know each of them as athletes, students, and people. I have no doubt that the talent and character this class possesses, as a unit and as individuals, will help shape our bright future. They are ready and willing to work as hard as they need to, and are eager to embark on this journey next year.”

The student-athletes will enroll in classes in the fall of 2012 and begin practicing for the inaugural season in the spring of 2013.

Goalkeeper:

Tristyn Kuehn (Mason, Ohio/William Mason HS) helped lead William Mason High School 37-16-5 to a record over the past three years and earned regional runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2011. The Comets finished ranked in the top 10 in Ohio in each season with Kuehn in goal. As a freshman, Kuehn was named the Great Lakes National team goalie. The senior earned the Mason Kiwanis Making a Difference Award as both a sophomore and junior. For her play on the field, Kuehn was tabbed the Ohio South National goalie and earned a place at the Under Armour All-America game as a junior.

Defense:

Rachel Waldron (Vienna, Va./Marshall HS) is ranked as the 46th best high school recruit in the nation and the 10th best defensive-midfielder by ESPN. The Marshall defensive-midfielder earned Washington Post All-Metro Honorable Mention honors in addition to First Team All-Region and First Team All-District last season. Waldron totaled 95 points (68 goals/27 assists) for the Statesmen last year and was named her team’s Most Outstanding Player. Additionally, Waldron was tabbed an Under-Armour Underclassman All-American and the Marshall Female Athlete of the Year as she led her squad to a 10-5 record and an appearance in the regional playoffs.

Kaitlyn Trodden (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park HS) is ranked as one of the top 25 high school defenders by ESPN. Trodden participated in the prestigious Lax Inception, National Draw, Under Armour Capital Cup, Best of the Beach, and Upper Atlantic tournaments. She has played with the Team Elevate lacrosse club for three years and the Long Island Express for four years.

Kyra Pruitt (Alexandria, Va./Hayfield Secondary) earned all-district first team honors as a junior. Pruitt is a three time member of the Hayfield Academic Honor Roll and a recipient of the AP Scholar Award. She has played the past four years with the Supernova Select club team in Fairfax, Va.

Ashley Manford (Palm Coast, Fla./Matanzas HS) has led the Pirates to a combined 17-11 record during her sophomore and junior seasons. Manford earned the Coach’s Award as a junior and the Matanzas High School Outstanding Achievement Award as a senior.

Midfield:

Austin Brown (Mint Hill, N.C./Providence Day HS) owns the Chargers’ all-time goal scored record with 216 through three years of play. Brown scored 79 goals last season as she earned NCISAA first team all-state, all-conference and Charlotte Observer All-Observer honors. The midfielder is a two time team captain and has started every game of her interscholastic career at center. As a sophomore Brown was tabbed a member of the North Carolina National Tournament team. Additionally, Brown was honored as a NCISAA second team all-state selection in field hockey.

Cassidy Meaney (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh HS) has had a standout career for the Warriors. She has played club lacrosse for the Carol Rose coached Long Island Yellow Jackets for three years. Meaney is a member of the National Honors Society and Foreign Language Honor Society chapters at Wantagh.